Revs notes: Castro to start Saturday

FOXBORO — Honduran import Mauricio Castro won't have to wait long to make his New England Revolution regular-season debut.

ADAM SMARTSCHAN

FOXBORO — Honduran import Mauricio Castro won't have to wait long to make his New England Revolution regular-season debut.

The 5-foot-10 midfielder, who signed with the Revs from Club Deportivo Olimpia on Feb. 18, will start on the left wing when New England opens its season Saturday against the Houston Dynamo, coach Steve Nicol said yesterday.

Incumbent left midfielder Khano Smith had a strong preseason for the Revs (four goals and three assists in six games), but will miss the opener to play with the Bermuda national team.

Enter Castro.

"He's got two good feet, he's got some pace and he's got a football brain," Nicol said. "The biggest thing is to get some games under his belt.

"Because of the visa situation (that delayed his arrival to the Revs), he obviously couldn't play with his team in Honduras. He hasn't played a first team game for five weeks, six weeks. Although he's been training, it's different in games and to train. It's two different things.

"But we're happy with what we've seen, and certainly glad we got him."

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The Revs' other international signing, 21-year-old Costa Rican forward Argenis Fernandez, has yet to arrive due to visa issues.

"We hope to have (him) in by Saturday," director of soccer Michael Burns said during yesterday's annual team Media Day. "At this point, we just don't know."

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Speaking of Burns, here's what he had to say about the two vacant spots on New England's 18-man senior roster:

"As far as the final two slots go, we are always actively looking, whether it's internally through a trade or internationally, to acquire these players. However, we feel strongly about bringing in the right people to the mix, so to speak.

"With the number of games we have this year, with Open Cup, league games and SuperLiga, it's important we try to get the best 28 players possible. Whether that makes a week, two weeks, a month or so or two months to fill those two spots, we'll still approach it very diligently and carefully in terms of who we bring in on the field and off the field."

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Midfielder Wells Thompson (bone spur in his left heel) and Joe Franchino (right hamstring sprain) have been ruled out for Saturday's game.

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Burns also talked about the team's planned youth development program, which would begin with two teams (U-16 and U-18) in conjunction with U.S. Soccer's Development Academy program.

"If we're able to retain the best players in this area," he said, "it doesn't necessarily mean they have to play for the Revs, but in certain cases we'll be able to protect certain players if they want to come through and hopefully play for the Revs."

Burns said the plan is to have staff and teams in place by the end of the year.

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Shalrie Joseph missed training yesterday with the Grenada national team duty, but will be back in time for Saturday's game.

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Nicol said the match won't have a revenge slant for his team.

"I don't think they're looking upon it as some revenge game or anything like that," he said. "We could be playing anybody as far as we're concerned. We're trying to get ourselves ready to start the season. It just so happens it's Houston."

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The Revs open at home for the first time in their 13-year history.

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Nicol said the team's formation for any given game will hinge on who can play.

"It will depend on the availability of players," he said. "To play three in the back you have to have the right players ... if we have everybody fit, (a 3-5-2 formation) is a strong possibility. If we don't, we have to rethink what's best for the team and what's best to get a result."

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Striker Taylor Twellman, who was denied a desired transfer to England's Preston North End in the offseason, insisted he's happy to remain in New England.

"As long as I'm playing in MLS, my heart and soul is with the Revolution. Always will be and always has."

Twellman was then asked if that only applied to MLS, as opposed to international opportunities.

"Obviously, in the offseason, there's interest," he said, "and it's a positive for any player to receive interest because it means you're doing something correct. I'm not going to lie to you. It's also disappointing as well. You move on from it. It's a business.

"On Saturday, I'm playing for the Revs."

Staff writer Adam Smartschan can be reached at asmartschan@capecodonline.com.